European rugby: Six Champions & Challenge Cup stories

1) SARACENS HAVE SIX APPEAL

Saracens' 28-17 victory over Toulouse saw the sublime as well as the ridiculous but most impressively the win meant the Premiership leaders maintained their 100% record in the Champions Cup.

Ben Spencer’s superb try was the highlight of their victory over the French side, while England fly-half Owen Farrell had a moment to forget, dropping the ball in the in-goal area as he went to touch down for a try. Their reward for gaining six out of six is a home quarter-final tie against Northampton Saints.

2) A GIFT FOR NAN

Harry Mallinder will soon run out of family members the rate he is going.

The game saw a welcome try for Leicester’s England centre Manu Tuilagi who played 50 minutes as he continues his return from injury with the Six Nations less than two weeks away. The occasion was also a landmark match for prop Dan Cole and flanker Tom Croft who celebrated 150 appearances for the Tigers.

5) DELAYING THE INEVITABLE

Gloucester’s trip to Parma to face Zebre may have got off to a frustrating start with a delayed flight, but their encounter in Italy went the same way as all their others in the tournament - victory.

It maintained their 100% record in the competition and was also their 15th straight victory in the Challenge Cup.

Their reward is a quarter-final clash against Newport Gwent Dragons at Kingsholm.

6) THE HISTORY BOYS

Exeter’s 33-17 victory over Ospreys sealed their first ever Champions Cup quarter-final and was the icing on the cake after a stunning weekend for the Premiership with nine clubs qualifying for the knockout stages of both competitions.

So proud of what the boys achieved today! Honoured to be apart of it, special group of boys doing special things! pic.twitter.com/q0ETfYo9e6